Box-fastener



(No Model.)

J. W. SHAW.

BOX FASTENER.

N0. 398,981. Patented Mar. 5, 1889.

Fig32- \NVELN'TDR- UNITED STATES PATENT Fries,

JOSEPH VALTER SHAV, OF SIIELBURNE FALLS, ISIASSACHUSETT BOX-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 398,981, dated March 5,1889.

Application filed April 14, 1888. Serial No. 270,665. (No model.)

To all IUIL-OHZ/ it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH WALTER SHAW, of Shelburne Falls, in thecounty of Franklin and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Box-Fasteners, of which the following, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

In the drawings like letters representcorresponding parts.

Figure 1 represents the catch part of the device. Fig. 2 represents thehasp part of the device. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a box,illustrating the manner of the application of the catch to the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, strong, and efficientfastening to be applied to boxes and other articles, the attachment tobe made without the aid of screws or any auxiliary devices.

Referring to the drawings, the catch part A of the device consists of aplain piece of metal preferably pointed at the lower end, as representedby f. At the upper end of the said piece of metal I form the catchproper, c, and upon the same end of the metal I form one or more guards,a. The other part, B, of the catch (represented in Fig. 2) also consistsof a piece of metal made, preferably, pointed at the upper end, 8, andhaving a slot, 1), in the lower part of the metal, which slot serves thepurposes of a hasp in connection with the part c'in 1.

Fastenings or catches of various kinds have been employed before; butthey have been attached to the box or other article by screws or nails,and most of them have also had some device to press the catch part backfrom the outside in order to release the hasp part.

My present invent-ion can be made more cheaply than any I have everseen. It is designed especially for light boxes in which there is somespring or give in the side of the box itself, as is the case withcigar-boxes, which are made of very light thin wood.

By referring to Fig. 3 the manner of securing the said hasp and catchpart and the operation of the device will be understood. To insert thepart A in the front side of the box '3, a slight mortise in the wood ismade, (represented by g,) and the part marked f in Fig. 1

is bent at. right angles to the body of the metal, and the pointed endis then inserted through the side of the box from the inside, and thepart f is afterward bent up against the outside of the box. This holdsthe catch part A firmlyin place, and the stiffness of the body of themetal is suiiicient to keep it erect, as represented. The part Bissecured to the lid or cover D by inserting the end a through the coverfrom the inside up to the shoulder, and then simply bending or pressingdown so much of the end 2 as protrudes through the top of the cover.This secures the hasp part firmly to the cover. The catch part of thedevice A has the catch proper, c, and also the guard a. Now, when thecover is closed, the ha-sp part slides over the catch 0 and secures thecover tightly upon the box. The object of the guard to is to prevent thebeep part from sliding in behind. the part A, as it is manifest that ifthe bottom of the hasp part is pressed upon the top of the catch part- Athe guard on will slide it forward over the catch or hook c. There issufficient spring in the metal itself to allow a slight movement of thebody A inward and the hooking on of the said hasp over the part c, thestiffness of the metal. springing back and remaining substantiallyupright in its original position after the hasp is hooked in.

In order to unfasten the catch, all that is necessary to do is to pressupon the outside of the box near the device and the catch part will bewithdrawn from the hasp part, and the cover can be immediately opened.Of course in this device it is necessary that there should be more orless give or spring in the side of the box or other article to which thesame is applied, as otherwise the device could not be unfastened.

In the case of boxes and other articles made of light wood or othermaterial it has been found necessary heretofore to fasten the top on bybrads or similar means, as there is often insufficientmaterial toproperly hold any device which requires nails or screws to keep it inplace. The guard at is also an important improvement in this class offastenings, and prevents the parts from getting out of order or beingbent or sprung in such a way as to be inoperative. The said guard may beformed singly or doublethat is, one prong upon each side of the catchpart c-it' desired. The point fof the part A, also the point e of thepart B,

formed with a projecting hook, c, and the guard a, all combinedsubstantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses, on this 10th day of April, A. -D.1888.

JOSEPH WALTER SHAW.

Vitnesses:

H. S. SHEPARDSON, J. W. TURTON.

